The start of the 2026-2027 season has been polar opposites for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. For the Pistons, they are 3-0 with three impressive wins over expected playoff teams in the East. For the Knicks, they have also faced three likely playoff teams in the East, but have lost all three games.
Championship hangovers are a thing and the New York Knicks could be suffering from one. But, they also have a Championship core of players that are locked in, so their only goal is to get into the playoffs healthy and regular season results don’t matter as much. But, starting off 0-3 and only averaging 102 points per game could be viewed as a bit concerning.
Luckily for the Knicks, they will be facing a short-handed Pistons team that will for sure be without Jalen Duren but could also be without Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe. That didn’t matter on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the 76ers were also short-handed. Everything points to the Knicks being fully healthy for this game, so it will be a challenge as the Knicks try to avoid an 0-4 start and put a stop to the only remaining unbeaten team in the East.
Game Vitals
Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY When: Tuesday, October 27 at 8 pm EST Watch: NBC/Peacock Odds: Knicks (-3.5)
Analysis
The Pistons put together an impressive game defensively with their rag tag group of bench players against the 76ers on Sunday. They held the Sixers to 93 points and shut down pretty much everybody except for Tyrese Maxey in the 4th quarter.
However, it was a bit of a struggle on offense with Cade Cunningham being the only offensive threat. The Pistons made a season-low 14 three pointers and also scored a season-low 106 points. Three-point shooting has been a huge part of the Pistons’ success this season and they could be without one of the players who helps a lot in that department, Isaiah Joe, who suffered a hip injury after a scary fall on a dunk.
Joe is listed as questionable today, but if I had to guess, he probably does not play since I am sure his hip hurts after the adrenaline wore off. Ausar Thompson is another Pistons player with the questionable tag, but there is probably a better chance of him playing since his injury was suffered against the Miami Heat on Friday and he is kind of a bit freaky when it comes to injury recovery.
The craziest thing for the Pistons 3-0 start is that they have done it withouot Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson for basically half of it. Duren suffered his injury in the 2nd quarter of Friday’s game against the Heat and Ausar Thompson suffered his in the 3rd quarter of the same game.
It just shows how impressive the Pistons depth is and how well put together their defensive infrastructure is. It doesn’t matter who is or is not playing, they are going to play lockdown defense. There is a noticeable drop-off on the offensive end, but you can win a lot of regular season games with a good defense.
There isn’t much to say about the Knicks as their formula is one that led them to a Championship last season. They have their wing defenders in OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart and then their offensive hubs of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Brunson is one of the most clutch players in the league who comes through in the biggest moments.
So far, they haven’t gotten the clutch baskets they need from Brunson, which explains the 0-3 start, but a slow start after a Championship is a pretty common occurrence. You play into late-June the previous season and then have an abbreviated offseason once the celebration concludes. For the Knicks, they have had to start this season playing the 76ers and Celtics, two teams that are expected to be near the top of the East, and then a Magic team that was also a playoff team last season.
The Knicks haven’t looked great in any of their games so far this season, but I still wouldn’t be waving the panic flag yet given the level of opponents they have played.
A short-handed Pistons team could be exactly what they need to get their first win of the season, but as the Pistons proved on Sunday, it won’t be a gimme.
Whether or not Ausar Thompson plays, the Pistons are going to have to grit out another win through the sheer force of their defense. It worked against the 76ers and the Knicks could suffer the same face given their offensive struggles this season. But, the Knicks are equipped with the wing defenders they need to slow down Cade Cunningham, who has to shoulder a huge offensive load without Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
If Thompson does play, he can at least take away some of the ball handling pressure that Cade Cunnigham has to take on and allow him to attack off-ball more. It also would help quite a bit on defense as well, as it would give them another player to throw at Jalen Brunson.
This could end up being a very ugly game on National TV.
Lineups
Detroit Pistons (3-0): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Paul Reed
New York Knicks (0-3): Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns
Question of the Day
What has impressed you most about the Pistons so far this season?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published on September 4.
EA Sports’ latest installment in their hockey franchise, NHL 27, is predicting the Utah Mammoth will win the Stanley Cup in 2026-27.
According to an in-game season simulation conducted by The Hockey News, Utah will defeat the New York Islanders in a seven-game series to capture the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
This means Pete DeBoer would be handed another heartbreaking loss on the biggest stage. In real life, DeBoer previously reached the Stanley Cup Final as head coach of the New Jersey Devils in 2012, only to fall to the Los Angeles Kings.
This time, he would come up short with the Islanders.
Clayton Keller led the way for Utah and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in 26 postseason games.
Dylan Guenther was right behind him, finishing the simulated playoff run with 10 goals and 10 assists in 26 games. Vincent Trocheck, who was acquired by the Mammoth during the off-season, also made a significant impact, tallying seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 26 games.
Karel Vejmelka could have easily taken home the Conn Smythe himself.
The Utah goaltender posted a spectacular 15-4-4 record during the post-season, along with a 2.23 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and two shutouts.
The Utah Mammoth ranks fifth in TheHockeyNews.com’s NHL off-season ranking. Here’s why we rated Utah’s off-season as the NHL’s fifth-best.
NHL Off-Season Rankings: No. 5, Utah Mammoth
While the Mammoth ultimately lifted the Stanley Cup, the Islanders received a huge contribution from an unexpected source.
Mikael Granlund, who was traded by the Anaheim Ducks to New York in the simulation, led the Islanders offensively with six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 23 playoff games.
Avalanche Superstars Predicted To Lead Individual Awards
As for the individual awards, Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon continued his reign atop the NHL’s scoring hierarchy.
MacKinnon captured his second consecutive Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy after scoring 55 goals during the regular season. He added 61 assists for 116 points in 83 games. The 116-point campaign was also enough for MacKinnon to claim his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer.
Colorado wasn’t done collecting awards, either.
Cale Makar finished his final season before his new eight-year, $163.2-million extension kicks in with his third Norris Trophy. Makar recorded 12 goals and 84 assists for 96 points, narrowly missing out on a 100-point season.
EA Sports’ upcoming release of NHL 27 will be bringing back a new online experience with its Connected Franchise game mode. What new features can players expect to see?
EA Sports Deep Dive Reveals New Features For NHL 27 Connected Franchise
Connor McDavid was a good sport as he picked up the Lady Byng Trophy. The Edmonton Oilers superstar had a down year by his standards, but plenty of players would love to have his version of a slump.
McDavid finished the regular season with 40 goals and 64 assists for 104 points. He also added eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 14 playoff games, although the Oilers came up short once again.
Philadelphia Flyers youngster Porter Martone won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, while 37-year-old Jacob Markstrom kicked off his tenure with the Florida Panthers by winning the Vezina Trophy.
For the second straight season, there were two winners of the William M. Jennings Trophy, and both came from the Tampa Bay Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Dennis Hildeby.
Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov won the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL’s most outstanding player, earning the honor for the second time in the last three seasons.
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Lane Lambert won the Jack Adams Award as the head coach judged to have contributed the most to his team’s success, leading the Seattle Kraken back to the playoffs in this simulation.
At 39 years old, Sidney Crosby proved he can still play elite two-way hockey, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy. Crosby posted a 40-goal campaign with 56 assists for 96 points.
While the individual awards are impressive, none would be more surprising than the one Utah ultimately took home.
If NHL 27’s simulation is any indication, the 2026-27 season could be one for the history books — with the Utah Mammoth sitting at the center of the biggest surprise of them all.
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 26: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on October 26, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Flagg filled the stat sheet like few players can, finishing with a game-high 29 points to match Giannis Antetokounmpo’s point total for Miami, 11 assists, six rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots. He scored 12 of his 29 in the decisive fourth quarter.
But it wasn’t just Flagg. It was PJ Washington. It was Kyrie Irving hitting some big early shots. It was two-way find Walter Clayton Jr., who finished with 15 points in 17 minutes off the bench. Here are the notable quotes from Monday’s postgame press conference.
Head Coach Dusty May
Opening statement
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 26: Kyrie Irving #11 and Head Coach Dusty May of the Dallas Mavericks talk during the game against the Miami Heat on October 26, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I want to congratulate our guys on a very hard-fought road [win]. 31 assists on 43 made baskets. I thought the hustle plays by Risacher, the last possession by P.J. coming up with that, Gaff, I thought we played extremely hard, we were quick to the ball and when Miami would go on a run, we’d find a way to hang around and hang around, and then our guys simply made big, big plays and big shots at the end. It’s a lot of fun when your two superstars are as unselfish as they are, and they show as much grace as they bring along these younger players. It’s been fun to be a part of and see it so far. Obviously a long way to go, but this is a very, very good win for our team.
On the Mavs’ defensive tenacity and physicality:
Yeah, Zacc is finding himself now. He’s still so young. We really,really value and appreciate those plays. However many missed shots he had, he had twice as many loose balls and blocks and steals and rebounds, and the ones that don’t show up where he just gets a hand on it, where it’s maybe coming to Bam or Giannis, he just gets a fingertip and then our guards dig it out. There’s no stat for that, but those are valued in our program and within our team. Just to see how connected our group is, to see how they’re all so much for each other is fun, and the guys, they earned this.
What did you do in the fourth quarter that made it hard on Giannis [Antetokounmpo]?
We brought bodies to him, I think probably the wear and tear of him having to do so much, and I thought he made a couple nice kickouts and the shots didn’t drop. I thought early on we were playing better than the score indicated in the second quarter because a couple shots weren’t dropping, and late in the game, to be honest, I thought they played better than the scoreboard would indicate. I thought they generated some great looks late, and they just didn’t drop, and so that’s part of the game as well.
How did you see Flagg taking over in the fourth quarter?
Well, we were struggling to find different ways to just get him in some space, and I thought our guys had good off-ball movement and spacing, and he just needed a crease. I mean, that’s a bad dude to get in a paint like that and finish. I think there were three guys trying to block it late. That’s one thing when you do get an angle and get to the rim on their, I mean, they had their perimeter defenders in, and you have Bam and Giannis coming over to block it, just to have the creativity to get it up off the rim. He had a couple that, they brought the third defender and drew the charge on him, but he was making the right pass as he was fanning out. He was starting closeouts. That’s one thing about Cooper, the ball comes out of his hands at the right time. If we get to where we’re really finding a rhythm offensively, he’s going to have even, he’ll have some 15-20 assist games. There’s no question.
How did you see Walter Clayton take advantage of his opportunity?
Yeah, Walt played in the stay-ready game called the Hunt Club earlier today, so he basically did a double-header. Obviously, it was an abbreviated one this morning, but that’s Walt. I mean, he’s a gamer. If anyone, obviously, this state, they’ve seen him a lot. He’s got ice water in his veins. He’s unfazed. Even when he doesn’t play up to his best, he’s the same way. I thought he dug deep, tried to defend. They were trying to go at him. I thought he held his own on the defensive end, and offensively, he just gives us so much because he can get wherever he needs to with the ball. He can create advantages. He can finish in the paint. I thought his shot fakes, obviously, have been such a great 3-point shooter. I thought he used his shot fakes well and just played really, really good ball.
Any concern for Sergio there?
Yeah, I don’t know what it is. He’ll have some imaging tomorrow, but obviously concerned because he’s such a tough kid. Whatever it is, we’ll be here to support him and get through it. Very unfortunate, like all these injuries, you look around the NBA, the first thing you think of is when there’s an injury, just how much time these guys spend to get their bodies right and how much time they’re going to have to spend just to get back to playing the game that they love to play. Hopefully, it’s minor, but we’ll know sooner than later.
What stands out to you about when PJ Washington is playing small-ball five?
I think PJ’s been great in stretches every game. For him to play 41 minutes tonight, and I haven’t reviewed the film, but I would say 39 of them were really intentional, focused, determined to do whatever it takes to win. Sometimes from my seat, it looks like he can just be in the game and not completely engaged. I thought he was engaged for almost the full 41 minutes. The last loose ball he came up with, there was five or 10 of those throughout the game that he just found a way to go get and then obviously made a huge three. He’s a weapon because he can stretch the defense, he gets in the paint, he’s physical with his bump-offs and little short shots, and then he’s got a nose for the ball too. He’s quick to loose basketballs.
On coaching in Florida and against Heat coach Erik Spoelstra:
Yeah, I feel better with the Mavericks going head-to-head against the Heat than the matchup of the head coaches. I had a lot of help tonight from the staff and also from our players, but obviously a lot of respect. They’re going to figure it out like I said earlier today. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when. You think there’s 78 more regular season games, and you bring these new teams that all come from different defensive philosophies and offensive philosophies. It’s tough to get your guys on the same page and connected on both sides of the ball but we’re going to look up at whatever the amount of time is and they’re going to be playing great basketball and this will be a real quality road win.
On the closeout blocked shot by Flagg against Andrew Wiggins in the game’s final minute:
The thing with Coop, he’s trying to win. He’s never not — last year’s the first year of his life that he hasn’t won big, and he’s determined to get us back to where we’re playing extremely meaningful games at the right time of year, and each game matters a lot because the guy’s a winner. I mean, you see the plays he makes. He has a different gear. He has a different level of focus and attention; when he needs it, it’s there. But to see the plays he made, in the last biggest possession of the game, we just put it in his hands and knew he would make a great decision because of how unselfish he can play above the defense but also just his ability to get by people and finishing in the paint is incredible.
Do you appreciate your team’s next shot mentality, and is it important for a young squad like that to be able to keep shooting and not lose that confidence?
Yeah, absolutely and that’s something that over the course of my and our career that I’ve probably been a little bit loose with shot selection where some coaches how well you shoot it you earn the shots and with us if you’re playing the right way and the ball finds you then we trust you based on your work and practice and also the developmental plan of taking the right shots. Like I said, I wanted Zacc to keep shooting when he’s open, and most importantly, his teammates did too. I heard a couple of them say actually, I heard Kyrie say he’s playing so hard; I want him to keep shooting it and it wasn’t he’s doing this; he’s making 500 and not this he’s playing so hard. We appreciate that so much that we’re never going to tell him to stop shooting it and he made a big floater he made a huge three, and he’s a good shooter that’s the crazy part. Like, he’s a very good shooter that’s just not making them now but he’s finding so many other ways to impact the game and it looks like he’s having fun even though it’s not his best.
Collectively, what can a team learn from getting a road win against a talented Heat team early in the season to build on?
Each game is so different I think more than anything else just the belief that we can. You know, we won a game in Indiana where we had a little bit of margin and they came storming back and we held on. This one was back and forth, and we got a little bit of separation midway through the fourth, but it was a one-possession game and so it I think it gives our guys confidence that we don’t know what it’s going to look like. Maybe it’s a big time basket by someone, or maybe it’s a couple stops, but we have enough, and we got different ways to figure out a way to close the games, and so I think it just gives you confidence for later on when you’re in so many of these.
Cooper Flagg
What were you seeing in the fourth quarter that allowed you to get to the rim consistently?
Cooper Flagg DELIVERED in the clutch for Dallas 💪
He blocked the 3-pointer with 31.1 secs left, then raced to the rim for the layup to extend the lead to 4 with 10 secs left to help the Mavs seal the road W! pic.twitter.com/LNX27E3inq
I think just we did a better job at that late in the game just spreading the floor, getting into different actions and shifting the defense. You know, allowing for better driving lanes, angles and opening up the court a little bit.
You finished with 11 assists. What were some of the things you were seeing to be able to hit your teammates?
I mean they were mucking the game up. You know, being in the gaps heavy and trying to slow us down — make us just play through the pass and hit the easy one. So to start out early, just making the right play, and guys were knocking down shots.
Evaluating Walter Clayton Jr.’s night:
It was great. Walt was great. You know, obviously he hasn’t been with us for very long, but you know for him to just step up tonight and 6-for-7 from the field, but you know, I thought this is intensity and the way I mean — plus-22 — like for him to go out there and just play really really hard and unselfish basketball and just really give to the team in every single way, I thought it was a really big step for our team. Huge shout-out to Walt for just staying ready. I think honestly after shoot-around today he was playing — like he was in there playing with the guys in the stay-ready game, so a little double header for him. To be able to stay ready and come out tonight and just play and contribute like he did — it was it was really cool to see.
Did it mean anything additional playing in front of Spoelstra, who will be coaching the 2028 Team USA Olympic Team?
I mean I hadn’t really thought about that. Obviously for me, I’ve played for the country before, you know when I was younger um playing for Under-17 teams, stuff like that. For me you know it’s obviously a pleasure to be able to play for my country, any chance I get. I have no idea what it’s going to look like. It’s a good ways down the road so um obviously, you know, if I was ever asked to to be able to play for my country, that’s something I would love to do, and that’d be amazing.
How did you expect Wiggins to play you on that last drive for your last bucket of the game?
Like I said, just getting set. Once I had everybody set and everybody was in good positions, just taking advantage of the space that we had, being able to get downhill and challenge them at the rim. I was confident in my ability to get by him, create an advantage for our team and make the right play.
Does seeing Risacher and Washington playing hard on defense make the game more fun and also motivate you to play harder?
For sure, yeah, I mean I think just setting the tone early, being physical. Guys like PJ and Zacc you know those are things that they’re going to bring to our team every single night, so for them to just you know continue to step up these last couple nights and really just [show] how much they can provide us without even having to put the ball in the basket — that’s what I’m telling Zacc. I think obviously, nobody’s happy missing shots and stuff like that, but you know he makes us 15-20 points better when he’s being active and getting steals and playing his defense, so I have no doubt that his shots are going to start to fall, and there’s nothing to worry about there. So, with him contributing like he has been, it makes us so much better.
How valuable is it for Washington to be able to take on tough defensive assignments like guarding Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Like I said same with Zach I mean super valuable. PJ has been doing a lot for us on the defensive end. He’s been asked to take on some pretty tall tasks. I think he’s done an incredible job you know just you know doing whatever he can to help our team win and I mean PJ’s been knocking his shots doing what he does on the offensive end, but I mean defensively, he’s he’s been our anchor. With him and [Gafford] — they’ve been holding down the fort, so it’s been really big for him stepping up, Zacc stepping up, Gaff has been stepping up um on the defensive side of the ball. I think that’s that’s what’s making us better.
On affecting the outcome of the game on both sides of the ball, in multiple stat categories:
It’s just kind of always how I played — just making the right plays and whether it was scoring, passing, rebounding, getting in the lane, steals, blocks — just trying to impact the game and impact winning and competing at a high level.
On his veteran teammates, namely Washington, Gafford and Irving:
It’s been great. Those are two guys Gaff, PJ, and then obviously Ky — just great vets who set the set the tone, set the example and I think it’s been great for for me and for all the other young guys just to learn from. They set a really good example. They’re great leaders, with their communication, and they really show up and do it every single day, so it’s been great just to learn from those guys.
Walter Clayton Jr.
On the stay-ready mentality:
Walter Clayton Jr. scores the And-1 in the second half last night, he looked different pic.twitter.com/vCL66ToJ15
As simple as that — stay ready. Just trying to stay engaged during the timeouts so I know what the game plan is before and then just — a big factor — just the guys trusting me to go out there and shoot the ball and play my game.
Do you feel there is an expectation for a guy like you to play at a certain level to have synergy with guys like Irving and Flagg?
For sure, I mean, just being here for about a week now — Ky, the way he prepares, man — it kind of forces everybody to be on their P’s and their Q’s and prepare the same way. So just being locked in, just watching them, and, you know, these guys got a good system going on here, so I feel like I’m just kind of blending in seamlessly.
What allowed you to make that impact right when you came in to the game?
Just space. I feel like we got a good amount of paint touches tonight. We [were] relocating off the ball well. We felt like they were a team that collapses a lot, so just finding that space to get those shots off.
What stood out to you about the way the team played in the fourth quarter to pull out the win?
We just locked in during the timeouts, so talking to each other, I feel like we rebounded the ball great, and we were just physical. I think we came out and played our brand of basketball, and it worked for us.
How much did they start to change on you defensively after you made a couple of 3-pointers?
They were definitely probably a little quicker to get out on the closeouts, but, you know, that’s a great team. I don’t think they were changing too much for me. Tt was probably more so for Coop and Ky.
Has the chip on your shoulder grown as a result of this being your third team in two NBA seasons?
Definitely. My last year in college I was a big fish in uh in a little pond, and then you come to a new level. I’m a little fish in a big pond, so just got to work my way back up, and I feel like this is gonna be a great spot to be able to do that.
What did you make of Flagg’s fourth-quarter performance?
How many minutes did he play tonight? 40? Yeah, I mean, that’s a lot of minutes to be able to do that in the fourth. Just having him persevere for us. Coop is great. He’s a great player, and he’s gonna continue to be that for us.
What did the team try to do defensively against Antetokounmpo?
Just tried to meet him early — force them tough ones at the rim. Giannis is Giannis. He’s gonna get there, but we just tried to make it as tough as possible, and I think we did a pretty good job tonight.
What are some of the ways Washington affects winning?
Main thing is he be hitting people. I think people don’t understand how big those little hits [are] as the game goes on — how important they are, and PJ’s done that every game. He’s just been constantly doing that, so PJ’s great for us, obviously shooting the ball well and a great rebounder, so he’s been great for us.
How would you describe May as a coach and as a tactician?
Dusty is great. He’s won everywhere he’s been. I think he’s planning on doing the same here, and just as a tactician, he sees the game well, and he’s willing to listen to our point of view as players on the court. If [Irving] sees something, Dusty’s willing to take it into account. Dusty’s been great, and I think he’s gonna be a great coach at this level.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 07: Pitching coach Carl Willis #51 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 07, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the end-of-season press conference, Chris Antonetti indicated the Guardians would be looking to make upgrades to their starting rotation and their bullpen this offseason. What could those upgrades look like?
As the month of November unfolds, we will do deeper dives into the names that become more obviously available, but this article is a chance to bring up some pitchers who may be a good fit for Cleveland for fans looking to do some searching and analyzing. In future articles, we will break down statistics, ages, and contract projections, but this post is “food for thought.” We know we will only have about one month before the lockout begins so it is possible that the Guardians make a move before baseball settles in for a long winter’s (and spring’s?) nap. Without further ado, here are some ideas to ponder:
Free Agent Options: S-Tier: Tarik Skubal, LHP. Analysis: Not happening.
A-Tier: Trevor Rogers, LHP, Kevin Gausman, RHP, Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brandon Woodruff, RHP Analysis: Very, very unlikely… but the Guardians can feel free to surprise me and sign one of these guys if they want (even Guasman who is old and I hate for hitting Jose intentionally). Rogers is my favorite of the bunch and has the best extension (a trait the Guardians’ love), but he’s getting a huge deal that is, obviously, highly unlikely to come from Cleveland.
B-Tier: Robbie Ray, LHP, Casey Mize, RHP, Patrick Sandoval, RHP, Jack Flaherty, RHP, Foster Griffin, LHP, Tyler Mahle, RHP Analysis: It’s this part of the market where I can imagine the Guardians potentially deciding to put their hat in the ring IF those ALCS checks cleared and IF David Blitzer liked that taste of getting close to a World Series. Mize is my clear choice among this bunch (also has the best extension), but there is something to like about each option in here. Ultimately, I expect these players to get contracts longer than what the Guardians are comfortable offering, but they are definitely worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.
C-Tier: Shane Bieber, RHP, Matthew Boyd, LHP, Zac Gallen, RHP, Shota Imanga, LHP, Kris Bubic, LHP, Walker Buehler, LHP, Brady Singer, RHP Analysis: I am very interested in Cleveland as a place where Bieber or Gallen could try to rebuild their values as starting pitchers for a year to try for one more free agent contract. We know what Bieber can offer and Gallen has good extension numbers and a strong track record…. up until 2025. Can he rediscover the ability to be a front of the rotation arm? That’s the question. A reunion with Boyd would be fun, and Buehler and Imanga both are decent pillow-contract/Guardians’ fix-a-pitcher options. Bubic and Singer both fit as “Guys the Royals Couldn’t Figure Out But Maybe We Could,” but, notably, the Dodgers couldn’t fix Bubic and the Reds couldn’t fix Singer, so Singer is probably the pitcher with more meat on the bone. Singer had HORRIBLE numbers last season but he does have an elite extension profile. I would keep an eye on him as someone the Guardians may be in on for a very inexpensive one-year deal or a minor-league contract. Of this bunch, count me as most excited about Imanga because it would be a chance to open a path into the market for Asian players… but, aside from that, give me a Bieber reunion counting on him and Carl to rediscover the magic.
Some potential trade candidates to monitor: Reid Detmers, LHP, Angels Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins Joe Ryan, RHP, Twins Taj Bradley, RHP, Twins Logan Gilbert, RHP, Mariners Bryan Woo, RHP, Mariners George Kirby, RHP, Mariners Bryce Miller, RHP, Mariners Jose Soriano, RHP, Orioles
Analysis: Aside from Alcantara, Detmers and Ryan, I don’t think anyone on this list is LIKELY to be traded, but all are in the realm of possibility. Understand that to get any of these arms, the Guardians would be parting with multiple top prospects. The one exception would probably be Alcantara who probably could be had for a package of lesser prospects if the team is willing to take on his contract… but the package would still need to be guys with some solid, major league potential. Every one of these pitchers has potential to pitch at the front of a playoff rotation, so I am on-board with the Guardians pursuing them and sacrificing serious prospect capital to get a deal done. Just know… it would hurt if they pulled it off. Detmers is my favorite of the bunch.
In the 2024 offseason, the Guardians needed starting pitching and managed to snag Luis Ortiz and Slade Cecconi, though neither pitcher seemed especially available. Some names to consider along these lines are Andrew Alvarez of the Washington Nationals, Gabriel Hughes of the Rockies, and Carmen Mlodzinski of the Pirates. Each pitcher has some interesting underlying metrics that indicate a better pitching group could get more out of them. Alvarez and Mlodzinski are both 27, so in the age range where a trade is something teams consider, while Hughes is only 25 and would cost more because of that. However, I’d like to, again, highlight Hughes who gets ELITE extension release as a pitcher the Guardians would be poised to maximize if they could pry him free from Colorado.
Which pitcher catches your eye as a Guardians’ fan? Let us know in the comments below
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Robert Gasser delivered in the World Series unlike any left-handed starter since Sandy Koufax.
Gasser faced the minimum over six dominant innings, pitching the Milwaukee Brewers to the brink of their first championship in a 10-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
He’s the first starter to face the minimum over six in a World Series game since Curt Schilling for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the 2001 Fall Classic.
The last lefty to do it was Koufax, a Hall of Famer who spun his gem in Game 5 of the 1965 World Series.
The 27-year-old rookie nicknamed Bobby Diesel allowed a single to Yandy Diaz leading off the game but erased him on Chandler Simpson’s fielder’s choice. Catcher William Contreras then threw out Simpson attempting to steal second after Simpson slid off the bag.
Gasser retired 12 in a row until a leadoff walk to Victor Mesa Jr. in the sixth. Nick Fortes followed with a double-play groundout, and Taylor Walls grounded out to second on Gasser’s final pitch.
Gasser, who began the season in Triple-A Nashville, earned the win with six scoreless innings on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. He is the first Brewers starter this postseason to record an out in the sixth inning.
“It’s a special opportunity that we all have to be here,” Gasser said. “To be nervous or scared would only be cheating myself and my teammates.”
Second baseman Brice Turang, who helped Gasser with three hits and two RBIs, was hardly surprised Gasser kept his cool.
“He’s very chill,” Turang said. “He drives chill, too. He’s really slow at driving. Everything about him is just chill.”
A second-round pick by San Diego in 2021, Gasser joined Milwaukee in a then-maligned deal for All-Star closer Josh Hader in 2022. He made his major league debut in 2024 but had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow after just five starts.
He struggled to regain his form until late in 2026, when he finished the regular season with a 1.67 ERA in his final six appearances.
“A big word is belief,” Gasser said. “I haven’t changed much over the years from mechanics to velocity. I think it always comes down to, ‘Do you believe in yourself?’”
No question, the Brewers believe in him.
Milwaukee has won four straight road postseason games, three of them started by Gasser. That includes five scoreless innings in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series at Dodger Stadium.
Prior to this year, Milwaukee had lost 12 straight postseason road games since 2018, matching the longest skid in major league history set by the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins from 1925-87.
“He’s been great for us all year, all postseason,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “And he’s got that steady heartbeat. The moment’s never too big for him, and you know when he goes out there, you’re gonna have a great chance to win the game.”
Celtics broadcaster Brian Scalabrine got himself into some hot water in Boston.
In a stumbling live TV conversation, the Celtics’ color analyst struggled to explain comments he made earlier in the day claiming Brown demanded a trade — the first such claim from someone inside the Celtics’ orbit since Brown was shockingly dealt to the 76ers in the offseason.
“After the 48 calls I got today, and I listened, he technically didn’t demand to be traded,” Scalabrine said on the Celtics pregame show Monday. “I just summed it all up, and I summed up the word salad and kept it simple, but I think that’s what kind of got me in trouble there.”
Scalabrine was a bit more boisterous on his “The Starting Lineup” SiriusXM Radio show alongside Frank Isola just hours before his walkback.
“My understanding of this thing is he demanded to be traded,” Scalabrine said on the show earlier on Monday. “Not into the media, but to the organization.”
Scalabrine then got himself into even more hot water — likely with some within the organization, considering he’s a broadcaster for the Celtics with significantly more access than anyone on the outside — by alleging that Brown was recruiting players to join him at his next destination.
“But my understanding is Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands,” Scalabrine said. “And it was like, ‘You either do this, or you trade me.’ And he was rooting to get traded to Milwaukee, including calling some other teammates about, ‘Hey man, what do you think of Milwaukee? We should go there.’”
Jaylen Brown (7) of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Brown was rumored to be traded to the Bucks along with other draft picks or potential assets for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the trade did not happen, as the Heat acquired the former MVP.
Scalabrine attempted to walk all of that back now that he’s making headlines.
“I have no idea [what his demands were],” Scalabrine says while fumbling through his explanation. “Technically, he didn’t demand a trade; it was ‘do these things right here or else.’”
Brown was later traded to the 76ers for Paul George and draft compensation.
Brian Scalabrine admitted that he got himself in trouble after leaking details of Jaylen Brown’s trade demand.
Scalabrine did not specify whether one of those 48 calls that he “fended off” came from his bosses at NBC Sports Boston or Celtics team owners.
“I didn’t even know that this was going to be a thing,” Scalabrine said of the media blowback. “It was one of those things that lived in my mind for months. I finally used it because we were talking about the weirdest stuff, and now it’s out there.”
“I don’t understand the full reality of it,” Scalabrine attempted to explain.
Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during a game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden in Boston, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Brown and his former co-star, Jayson Tatum, have had a strange back-and-forth in the media in recent weeks, with the 76ers guard taking the latest shots.
Tatum had told reporters that his beef with Brown was “no f–king Shaq and Kobe. There’s no beef.”
But Brown appears to have stronger feelings than that.
Brown agreed, saying there is “no beef,” but added that there “might be a little lamb chops and some gravy,” with a cryptic “he should stay ready at all times.”
The 76ers play the Celtics on Nov. 10 in Philadelphia in the first meeting between the two stars since what has been viewed as an ugly breakup.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the New York Knicks during fourth quarter of the Celtics Home Opener at TD Garden on October 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 107-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the New York Knicks during fourth quarter of the Celtics Home Opener at TD Garden on October 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 107-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been rough for the Brooklyn Nets. Following a loss at Cleveland on Saturday night, they came home for a Sunday evening matchup against the Indiana Pacers and lost 136-109. Mikel Brown Jr. sat out (injury management) as things only got uglier.
The Boston Celtics look different this season after a busy offseason, but their early results have been encouraging. They enter Tuesday’s matchup coming off a 134-99 blowout against the Chicago Bulls.
Game Info & Broadcast Details
Matchup: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics
Time: 7:30 PM EDT (6:30 PM CDT)
Venue: TD Garden (Boston, MA)
TV/Streaming: YES Network/DAZN
Nets vs. Celtics: Who’s Out?
Brooklyn Nets
Joshua Jefferson: OUT – G League Assignment
Drake Powell: OUT – G League Assignment
Ben Saraf: OUT – G League Assignment
Tyler Bilodeau: OUT – G League (Two-Way)
Grant Nelson: OUT – G League (Two-Way)
Boston Celtics: TBD
This is the second night of a back-to-back for Boston so we’ll find out a few hours before tip-off.
The Game
Jordi Fernandez’s message after Sunday was simple: “The performance that we put on after the first quarter was just unacceptable. 112 points in three quarters — you’re not winning basketball games.”
Indeed.
As we noted in our season preview roundtable, bad defense is a killer and things have gotten pretty ugly already. Erik Slater of ClutchPoints discussed the amount of open threes the Nets have been allowing through the first week of the season, and teams have punished those mistakes early and often. The Celtics have been top-four in three-pointers attempted per game dating back to 2022.
If Brooklyn’s defense continues to spring leaks, this game could get ugly quick.
One of Boston’s newest faces has been around a lot longer than you’d think. This is Year 17 for Paul George and he’s been a solid hand for Joe Mazzulla’s squad. George is a versatile vet with lower usage compared to what we remember — he doesn’t need to do the heavy lifting on most nights.
The downside to being in the game this long is you’re gonna get got every so often.
Mikel Brown Jr is back against Boston and that should be a welcome sight for Nets fans.
The 20-year-old will be one of several guards chasing Payton Pritchard around tonight. Pritchard hit for 28 points and seven three-pointers last night as he had the Bulls in a blender. PP has been one of the best reserve guards in recent years and is someone Mazzulla and the team can count on to deliver no matter what the role is on a given night. His ascension allows for more flexibility and makes things easier across the board for his teammates.
For Brown Jr, Pritchard offers a great test against on the defensive side of the ball, while playing against elite competition overall. It should be fun to see how he shapes out against one of the most prepared teams in the NBA.
Player to Watch: Jayson Tatum
“He should stay ready at all times,” said former teammate Jaylen Brown.
As the face of the franchise, Jayson Tatum has a lot to think about it. He’s the lead option on a championship contender and faces all pressure to keep the team afloat in a treacherous Eastern Conference. And these days, he’s awfully busy discussing his former All-Star teammate.
Either way, it’s a lot to handle for one superstar to handle.
On the court, Tatum continues to be one of the best around. After shooting 0-for-7 night from three on opening night, he’s starting to regain his rhythm. Tatum can hurt teams in more ways than scoring. Even when his outside shot isn’t falling, he contributes as a playmaker and rebounder while still applying pressure on the defense. Brooklyn needs to make him work for his looks and avoid giving him easy opportunities to get going.
As for the Nets: When a team is going through an early rut like this, it takes a lot to turn things around. Losses pile up if you aren’t careful and three losses can turn into five, five turn into eight — you get the rest. The schedule doesn’t help either. Neither does playing against someone like Jayson Tatum.
From the Vault
My dear friend and colleague Lucas Kaplan is leaving NetsDaily to work for the Los Angeles Sparks. Lucas is the best of us and while I’m sad he’s no longer working with us, I can speak for everyone when I say I’m beyond thrilled he gets to begin such an exciting new adventure!
With that in mind, I wanna revisit the best, most fun night of basketball we ever got to cover together.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 26: A general view of Tropicana Field during Game Three of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue today with Game 4 of the World Series between the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who hold a 3-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, who are just trying to stay alive for another game.
Tonight’s game begins at 5:00 p.m. PT, airing on Fox/Fox One, with national radio coverage available on ESPN Radio.
As of the time this is being written, the Brewers have not yet announced a starting pitcher. Whoever it ends up being will face off against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax, who ended the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 3.76 FIP, with 116 strikeouts to 35 walks in 112.1 innings pitched. His last start in this postseason was in the Rays’ 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on October 15th, in which he allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks in four innings.
Personally, I’ve got to root for the Rays tonight. As much as I am hoping the Brewers take the series, a sweep is only fun if it’s your team doing it (as in 2012). I’d love to see the Rays come back and at least make the series a little more interesting. But I wouldn’t be unhappy to see the Brewers win it all tonight, either.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: David Peterson #19 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the National League Wild Card game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So far this offseason, we have talked about some of the bigger names on the free agent market. That includes the likes of Michael King, Adrian Morejon and Brandon Lowe. Today I want to discuss some under the radar targets that have surprising upside. David Peterson, Kris Bubic and Kyle Hart all have risk, but they also have the ability to outperform their contracts.
For fans of the NL East, Peterson is the biggest name here, so let’s start with him. The lefty spent parts of 7 seasons with the Mets before being traded to the Cubs in June. Since 2022, Peterson has had his ups and downs, but has been largely reliable. He has thrown at least 105 innings every year and has posted a WAR of at least 1.
After a dreadful start to 2026, the trade reinvigorated Peterson. He posted a 3.70 ERA with the Cubs and was arguably their best pitcher after the All-Star break. Following the midsummer classic, Peterson posted a 2.73 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 66 innings.
David Peterson stays hot with another quality start:
The 31 year old southpaw is not a flashy pitcher by any means. He throws his two low-90’s fastballs over 50% of the time. However, those offerings play up due to Peterson’s elite extension. His slider, changeup and curveball give him a trio of solid secondary pitches. Peterson relies heavily on ground balls, which makes his ERA heavily reliant on BABIP, but his FIP has generally been in the mid to high 3’s throughout his 5 year run.
Peterson will be more expensive than the free agents the Nats have signed over the past few years, but compared to a King or Peralta, he will be cheaper. Something in the ballpark of 3-years $33 million should get it done. One potential issue I would have is that Peterson is fairly reliant on a good defense, but I like his steadiness. He is a solid arm, who can make playoff starts when he is at his best.
Kris Bubic is also a soft tossing lefty, but he is very different from Peterson. The 29 year old lefty has a very high ceiling but his injury prone nature makes him a big risk. However, that risk is also a potential opportunity for the Nats. If Bubic hits, he can be a true middle of the rotation starter while not being paid like one.
Over his last 217.2 innings, Bubic has a 2.98 ERA with a 2.91 FIP and 227 strikeouts. The problem here is that he has only thrown 217.2 innings since 2023. This season, Bubic suffered from forearm and shoulder issues, which is obviously terrifying. However, he got back on the mound at the end of the year and threw in the playoffs for the Dodgers.
In 2025, the one season where Bubic was relatively healthy, he had a 2.55 ERA in 116.1 innings and made the All-Star game. Bubic’s fastball only averages 92, but it has elite ride from a lower slot which makes it a very good pitch. He also has a filthy changeup which plays beautifully off the fastball. His sweeper and slider cap off a very complete arsenal.
With his injury issues, Bubic will likely have to take a one-year deal, maybe with a club option. If Paul Toboni is hunting for upside on the free agent market, this would be a great opportunity. We have seen injury prone pitchers suddenly stay healthy before, with Shane Baz and Jacob Degrom being recent examples.
LHP Kris Bubic [29 y.o.]
2026 stats: 14 games (9 starts) 3.76 ERA 3.54 FIP 25% K%/12% BB% 49% GB%
Given the nature of his injury history, he is due for a 1+1 (club option) contract as high as $10-15M for 2027. His versatility in both a rotation and bullpen role could excite… pic.twitter.com/5oOilu3JHy
If the Nats can somehow keep Bubic healthy, he would be a great signing. He might not be able to be a full time starter, but I think he could provide value as a reliever if that is how you keep him healthy. Bubic is the type of high upside, lower cost move I could see the Nats making.
One of the Nats biggest needs this offseason is a matchup lefty. Paul Toboni tried so hard to find a left handed reliever who could consistently get left handed hitters out. He never really got his guy though. Thankfully, there are plenty of lefty relievers on the market.
There are top tier guys such as Alex Vesia and Adrian Morejon. This class also has a nice second tier consisting of JoJo Romero, Brock Burke, Sean Newcomb, Gregory Soto and more. However, I have a third tier option that could outproduce that second tier in 2027.
We will see if the Padres pick up Kyle Hart’s $2.5 million club option, but if they don’t I like the lefty. On the surface, this sounds weird. He posted a 4.92 ERA this year and the 33 year old has a 6.25 ERA in his career. However, his peripherals and stuff tell a different story.
Despite that 4.92 ERA, Hart had a 3.63 FIP and xERA. Hart did a fantastic job of limiting hard contact and getting ground balls. His velocity also went up by over 2 MPH after being moved to a full time bullpen role. If you are looking for a stuff demon, Hart is a sneaky option.
Kyle “The Hartthrob” Hart is awesome and that sweeper is a nasty. Not sure I agree with having him go 2 innings as the opener but I don’t think Randy would have done too much better that second inning anyway. Defense didn’t help him, but that run was probably scoring regardless. pic.twitter.com/QjDSWUrnee
— Francis Alipranti (Papa Frank) (@fxalipranti_) June 28, 2026
In addition to the harder fastball, Hart also introduced a splitter, which got very good results. Batters hit just .163 against the pitch with a 39.4% whiff rate. That helped him a lot against right handed hitters. Hart’s sweeper is also a very strong weapon against lefties.
He has never fully turned that stuff into results, which is why the Padres might not pick up his option. After all, he is out of minor league options and was left off the playoff roster. However, I think he could be primed for a late career breakout entering his age 34 season. Hart will be quite cheap and I think he could outperform better known options such as JoJo Romero or Brock Burke.
None of these three arms are perfect, but they would not be sleeper options if they were. However, I think Peterson, Bubic and Hart all have the ability to outperform their contracts by quite a bit. You would be taking a risk, but the reward could be huge and the price won’t be massive.
Coast 2 Coast Tuesday returns to NBC and Peacock tonight with a thrilling doubleheader. First at 8:00 PM ET, Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons take on Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Later, at 11:00 PM ET, Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers take on Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
See below to find out how to watch both games as well as additional information on how to live stream NBA games on Peacock.
The Pistons improved to 3-0, defeating LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers 106-93 on Sunday night.
Cunningham had 26 points and 8 rebounds, Duncan Robinson finished with 21 points, and Daniss Jenkins with 18 points and 8 rebounds.
The Pistons, who are off to their best start since 2018, never dropped the lead in Sunday's win.
Despite the early success, Detroit lost All-Star center Jalen Duren to a right hamstring strain suffered in last Friday's win against Miami. He is expected to miss at least two weeks.
Detroit re-signed Duren on a 5-year, $200 million deal on October 2. He is coming off of the best regular season of his career, where he was named an All-Star and to the All-NBA 3rd Team for the first time.
"It's tough when you lose a guy that means as much to us as JD does," head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before Sunday’s game in Philadelphia. "It's tough. Tough for him. Trying to come back and get himself situated to start the year. You miss those days. It's obviously a little bit difficult for us."
The Knicks, 0-3, are off to their worst start since the 2019-2020 season, following Sunday night's 111-102 loss to the Orlando Magic.
New York shot just 38-for-93 from the field and 9-for-38 (23.7%) from three. The Knicks are currently second to last in the league with a field goal percentage of 40.8.
“Everyone can say it’s early in the season. We can use that as an excuse, but I think the one thing I see is when we get those runs and start to look like the team that we did in the past, we get comfortable,” Brunson said.
“So we have to continue to put our foot on the gas and execute like we did last year. And we’re not going to be the same as last year. That’s just human nature. But we have to accept this part of the journey and find a way to be better. Hopefully, after a couple games, we can look back and say we grew from that.”
How to watch 2026-27 NBA games on NBC and Peacock?
The NBA is back on NBC and Peacock for the 2026-27 season with 100 regular-season games across its three marquee nights of the week: Peacock NBA Monday, Coast 2 Coast Tuesday, and Sunday Night Basketball, beginning Jan. 24, 2027.
All NBA games presented by NBC Sports will stream live on Peacock and all Peacock-exclusive games on Monday nights will also be presented on NBCSN. Telemundo, NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language broadcast network, will present 10 Sunday Night Basketballgames as well as the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 21, 2027.
What is the full 2026-27 NBA on NBC and Peacock schedule?
You can see the full schedule of 2026-27 NBA games airing on NBC, Peacock, NBCSN, and Telemundo here.
How do I sign up for Peacock to watch NBA games?
Peacock is available across a variety of devices. To get started, find or download the Peacock application on your device or head directly to PeacockTV.com to create a Peacock account. Then, you’re ready to watch!
Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 17: Brian Scalabrine and Drew Carter reports before the game between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics for NBC Sports News in Boston on January 17, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The ongoing war of words between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum took an unexpected turn Monday courtesy of Celtics television analyst and SiriusXM radio host Brian Scalabrine.
To briefly recap: Last Thursday, Brown posted a cap emoji on an Instagram video where Tatum talked about his reaction to the Celtics trading Brown to the Sixers. The next night, Tatum told reporters, “This ain’t no f–king Shaq and Kobe, there’s no beef.” Brown concurred Saturday, telling reporters, “There’s no beef, but there might be a little lamb chops and some gravy.” (He also added that Tatum had “hell of a PR team,” which is a phenomenal dig. 10/10, no notes.)
That brings us to Monday. On his SiriusXM radio show, Scalabrine said Brown “demanded to be traded” from the Celtics, “not through the media, but to the organization.”
Pretty explosive stuff here from Brian Scalabrine:
"My understanding of this thing is that (Jaylen Brown) demanded to be traded. Not through the media, but to the organization." …
"My understanding is that Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands, and… https://t.co/GC7fpjc7qh
“If you’re actually doing that, and you’re going to say Tatum is the one that’s lying, your whole basis of this thing is a lie,” he concluded.
As it turns out, Scalabrine might need to look in a mirror before calling someone else a liar. On the NBC Sports Boston broadcast prior to Monday’s game against the Celtics and Chicago Bulls, Scalabrine cleared up his report by essentially rebutting everything he said earlier in the day.
“He technically didn’t demand to be traded,” Scalabrine said. “I just summed it all up, I just summed up the entire word salad and kept it simple, but I think that’s what got me in trouble there.”
When asked what Brown’s demand was, Scalabrine replied, “I have no idea. I don’t know what the ultimatum was or the demand or whatever it was, but he technically did not demand to be traded. It was ‘Do these things right here or else.'”
A representative from Brown’s team told ESPN’s Kris Rhim that Scalabrine’s report was “10000% a lie.” The representative added that once the Celtics informed Brown that they planned to trade him, his “only request was to have input on his destination,” which Chris Hine of the Philadelphia Inquireralso reported.
Journalism is currently in a state of disrepair for countless reasons. The rise of AI will only make things exponentially worse. (It already has.) But one of the fundamental tenets of journalism—at least back in its heyday—was that you double-check what you’re reporting before you actually report it. Once upon a time, they had these things called “editors” and “fact-checkers” who were an extra layer of review to ensure that journalists weren’t reporting inaccurate information. (Most of them have now been laid off because they didn’t make their company’s Line Go Up quickly enough.)
Of course, the live, off-the-cuff nature of radio and TV make it far more difficult to vet information in real time. That’s why you do that work beforehand before spouting it to a national audience. We’ve all been on the internet long enough at this point to know that aggregators will pounce on any juicy material and disseminate it widely. Lo and behold, that’s exactly what happened to Scalabrine on Monday.
Jaylen Brown was reportedly the one who demanded a trade from Boston and was pushing for a move to Milwaukee, per @Scalabrine
“I think Jaylen Brown lives in his own reality. But because it wasn’t being documented that he demanded to be traded, then I don’t think that anybody,… pic.twitter.com/mnZGpK6LfQ
As the father of two young boys, teaching accountability has been one of the biggest parenting challenges to date. It’s hard to own up to your mistakes and admit that you screwed up; it’s far easier to blame someone else or deflect responsibility. But is that the world we want to live in?
Scalabrine shouldn’t necessarily lose his job over a mistake like this, but he should feel compelled to apologize and own it. No hedging, no wishy-washy, “Well, there’s nuance, but…” The only words out of his mouth should be, “I screwed up, I deeply regret the error, and I will not report anything unless I am 100 percent sure it is accurate moving forward.”
But given the state of everything these days, this faux pas will probably put him in line to be the next White House press secretary by next week.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer must like Aaron Civale a lot, because he’s acquired him not once, but twice.
The White Sox waived him at the end of August 2025 and the Cubs claimed him. He pitched just five times in September, but very well: 2.08 ERA, 0.538 WHIP and one save in 13 innings, with 14 strikeouts. That was good enough for 0.3 bWAR — in just five appearances, that’s pretty impressive.
(Incidentally, as well as the White Sox have done in trades lately, their acquisition of Civale in June 2025 was a terrible deal on their part — they got him for Andrew Vaughn, who’s done quite well in Milwaukee, while Civale posted a 5.37 ERA in 13 starts for the Sox.)
Anyway, the Cubs let Civale walk in free agency last offseason and he signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the A’s, who put him in their rotation. He wasn’t any good there, either, posting a 5.42 ERA and 1.621 WHIP, with 16 home runs allowed in 74.2 innings. (In fairness, part of that was due to the A’s minor league home park, Sutter Health Park, where 238 home runs were hit in 2026. That led MLB… tied with Wrigley Field.)
On July 18, the Cubs traded a minor league prospect named Aiden Moffett to the A’s for Civale. Trust me when I say I don’t think the Cubs will miss Moffett. In 17 relief appearances combined between the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League team and Low-A Myrtle Beach, Moffett walked 42 batters in 22.1 innings and no, that is not a typo, that’s a 34.1 percent walk rate, which is just awful.
Civale, meanwhile, turned into an impressive reliever for the Cubs. In 18 appearances covering 36.2 innings, he posted a 1.77 ERA and 1.064 WHIP, allowing just two home runs and striking out 33. He posted his first save of 2026 July 30 against the Cardinals, striking out Lars Nootbaar to end the game. Just look at this nasty curveball! [VIDEO]
This hints that maybe, just maybe, late-career Civale (he turns 32 in June) could be a useful relief piece in 2027. Now, relievers are fungible, as we all know, but over 24 career relief appearances (52 innings) Civale has a 2.52 ERA and 1.019 WHIP and 51 strikeouts and only 13 walks.
Keep that up and that’s a really good setup type guy.
If I were the Cubs I’d offer him a one-year deal at $4 million with a $6 million team option for 2028 and a $1 million buyout, to be a bullpen piece.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Patsy Dougherty, circa 1910. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Patrick “Patsy” Dougherty undoubtedly had his most success elsewhere as a big leaguer. In his sophomore season in Boston, he hit two home runs in a World Series game (one of them an inside-the-parker) to help secure a title in the very first Fall Classic. A few years later, he won another championship with the White Sox, in one of baseball’s most famous World Series.
In between those two stops, he spent some time in New York, manning the outfield. And getting in a fistfight with his manager. But let one who has never wanted to fight their boss cast the first stone. (And he isn’t the last man in franchise history to get into it with his manager, obviously.) Finally, in an historical quirk, he’s specifically linked to the name “Yankees,” and might be the first player ever officially referred to by that famed moniker.
Patrick Henry “Patsy” Dougherty Born: October 27, 1876 (Andover, NY) Died: April 30, 1940 (Bolivar, NY) Yankees Tenure: 1904-06
The son of an Irish immigrant, Dougherty grew up in southwestern New York, with his family settling in Bolivar. He drew attention on his high school team and gradually made the climb from the prep ranks to town ball to the minors and then to California late in 1901. They had a winter league back then, and his manager in LA happened to also be the skipper of Boston’s new American League club. So Patsy broke in with Boston in 1902 and hit the cover off the ball. He hit .342 as a rookie (a career-best) with a .407 OBP (ditto) and .805 OPS (likewise). He followed that up with a sensational sophomore season in 1903 that saw him pace the Junior Circuit in at-bats, runs, and hits, while hitting .331. Not a bad first two years.
That year, he also starred in a game against the New York Highlanders that one would expect to be a pitcher’s duel. Cy Young versus Jack Chesbro. That’s supposed to be a battle of the titans. Instead, it was more like a sustained exchange of artillery fire. The Highlanders outlasted the Americans 15-14 and Dougherty hit for the cycle.
Come playoff time, Dougherty etched his name in baseball history. With a pair of round-trippers in Game 2 of the World Series against Pittsburgh, he became the first player to homer twice in a World Series game. It was all part of an .827 OPS series as Boston won the first Fall Classic, five games to three ina best-of-nine.
In 1904, his bat fell off and, perhaps due to that, Boston was willing to move him. It might also have had something to do with Dougherty pushing to be paid more, after two pretty darn good first seasons in the big leagues. Either way, Boston moved him. In June 1904, the Americans sent him to New York for the somewhat-infamous Bob Unglaub.
The Boston Herald trumpeted “DOUGHERTY AS A YANKEE,” the first time on record the club was referred to by the name that has become ubiquitous. Meanwhile, Boston fans were furious, seeing through the club’s justifications of Dougherty’s defensive lapses being reason to send him packing. Le plus ca change, as they say.
Patsy quickly adjusted to life in New York. Though his bat never rebounded to its peak in Boston, he was still comfortably above-average with the stick for New York (120 OPS+ in 1904 after the trade). The Highlanders, unfortunately, missed the playoffs. Boston beat them out by 1.5 games to take home the American League pennant, with his new teammate and ace Chesbro uncorking a wild one to doom them in the penultimate game of the season.
Dougherty may not have been the greatest defender though, in fairness to Boston’s front office. On August 15th, 1905, Dougherty dropped two fly balls in left field, costing New York against Detroit and prompting The New York Times to declare “DOUGHERTY’S MISTAKES DEFEAT NEW YORK.” He also went through the worst offensive season of his career, coinciding with the Highlanders slipping to sixth place in the Junior Circuit.
1906 saw another contract dispute between Dougherty and his club. Worse, he got in a fistfight with New York skipper Clark Griffith. Unsurprisingly, he was gone from New York shortly after. Dougherty abandoned the team for the Tri-State League and found himself banned from the American League by president Ban Johnson.
Eventually, in July, the Chicago White Sox managed to massage things with Johnson and purchased his contract. He struggled down the stretch and was putrid in the World Series (2-for-20) but won his second World Series title nonetheless, as the “Hitless Wonder” White Sox pulled off an all-time upset against the crosstown rival 116-win Cubs of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” fame.
Dougherty spent the rest of his career in the Windy City and rediscovered his stroke, remaining a productive big-league hitter through his final season in 1911. Reputedly wealthy due to investments during his playing days, Dougherty began working at a bank shortly after his retirement, where he remained for almost three decades.
Patsy Dougherty died of a heart attack on April 30, 1940. He would have been 150 years old today. Happy birthday to a man nearly as old as the National League itself.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 5: Steward Berroa #39 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park on June 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 8-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A fact that may interest you about Steward Berroa: His name is Steward, not Stewart as most people probably assumed when they heard it for the first time. (I tried to find a way to work in a Denethor joke.) Sadly, there wasn’t all that much else interesting about Berroa or his contributions to the 2026 Phillies.
This was his third major league season, spending the previous two with the Blue Jays and Brewers. The Phillies purchased him from Milwaukee in early June and stashed him in AAA for most of the year. He was called up at the end of May and appeared in six games before returning to the minors for the remainder of the season.
Oh, he also pitched a game for Lehigh Valley, so that’s slightly interesting!
The stats: 6 games, .143/.143/.143, 0 HR, 0 RBI, -0.1 WAR
What went right
He got an RBI single in his Phillies debut, but that was about it as far as major league accomplishments go.
In the minors, he had a good on-base percentage (.363) along with 15 stolen bases.
He also had a child in June, so good for him!
What went wrong
He only batted .251 with five home runs in 242 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley.
The future
He’s a switch hitter with good speed and defensive ability, so it might be worth keeping him around as a “Quad-A” outfielder next season. Maybe he’ll be a late bloomer, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll ever hit well enough to stick for long on a major league roster.
Grade: D
He had an RBI and he wasn’t the worst reserve outfielder the Phillies trotted out there this season, but that was a low bar to clear.
Tonight’s matchup at crypto.com Arena pits two of the Western Conference’s remaining unbeaten teams against each other as the Los Angeles Lakers (3-0) host the Portland Trail Blazers (2-0). Los Angeles has opened the season with victories over Golden State, the Clippers and Utah, while Portland has beaten Phoenix and Sacramento. Both offenses have been explosive in the small early-season sample: the Lakers are averaging 128.0 points per game, with Portland at 126.0, setting up an intriguing test between a Los Angeles offense led by Luka Doncic and a Portland team that has allowed only 101.5 points per game through two contests.
The Lakers’ most recent victory was their most dramatic. Los Angeles erased an 18-point deficit Sunday at Utah and beat the Jazz 132-123, with Doncic exploding for 52 points and Austin Reaves adding 29. Doncic enters tonight averaging 34.3 points, 8.0 assists and 7.3 rebounds through the Lakers’ first three games, while Reaves is averaging 26.7 points. Portland has had a few extra days to prepare after winning 128-120 at Sacramento on Friday, following a dominant 124-83 victory over Phoenix in its opener. Tonight represents an early measuring stick for two teams with numerous new pieces from last year’s squads.
The major storyline is the chance for both teams to protect perfect starts, but injuries could complicate Portland’s task. Shaedon Sharpe is out following right meniscus surgery, while Scoot Henderson is questionable with left ankle soreness and Branden Carlson is questionable under the concussion protocol; Chris Youngblood is also listed out with left ankle soreness by one current injury report. Los Angeles is healthier at the top of its rotation: Adou Thiero is out with a left knee issue. Walker Kessler is available despite wearing a splint for a finger injury.
Recent series history has belonged to Portland. The Trail Blazers have won seven of the last 10 meetings with the Lakers, including the most recent matchup on January 17, 2026, when Portland defeated Los Angeles 132-116. Portland also won the previous meeting, 123-115 on November 3, 2025, after the Lakers had taken the first matchup of that season, 122-108 on October 27, 2025. Exactly one year after that Lakers victory, the teams meet again with neither having lost a game this season.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
The NBA on NBC YouTube channel continues to deliver fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers: Game Details and How to Watch
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 11:00PM EST
Site: crypto.com Arena
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: NBC
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers: Odds
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy ofDraftKings:
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (+120), Los Angeles Lakers (-142)
Spread: Lakers -2.5
Total: 235.5 points
The Total has been bet down a point since opening at 236.5 but the Spread remains where it opened.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers: Expected Starting Lineups
Portland Trail Blazers (2026-27 Scoring Average)
PG Ja Morant (13.0PPG)
SG Damian Lillard (22.0PPG)
C Donovan Clingan (9.5PPG)
SF Toumani Camara (18.5PPG)
PF Deni Avdija (22.0PPG)
Los Angeles Lakers(2026-27 Scoring Average)
PG Luka Doncic (34.3PPG)
SG Austin Reaves (26.7PPG)
C Walker Kessler (16.7PPG)
SF Ziaire Williams (11.3PPG)
PF Matisse Thybulle (9.0PPG)
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers: Injury Report
Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe (knee) is OUT for tonight’s game
Scoot Henderson (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Branden Carlson (concussion) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Chris Youngblood (ankle) is OUT for tonight’s game
Los Angeles Lakers
Adou Thiero (knee) is OUT for tonight’s game
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Trail Blazers and the Lakers:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Spread
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 235.5
The Best Bet: Game Total UNDER 235.5
The strongest play on the board, and the market has been moving this direction all week. The Total opened at 236.5 and has been bet down to 233.5 across the board. The historical case is the loudest number here. None of the last 10 meetings between these teams closed with a total above 229.5. This one opened at 236.5, which is a massive jump against recent history, and the market has been correcting toward that reality ever since. The matchup supports the correction. Both offenses have padded their early numbers against poor defenses. Portland's defense ranks 1st in effective field goal percentage allowed (47.4%), 1st in three-point percentage allowed (25.0%), 1st in corner three percentage allowed (11.1%), and 3rd in defensive rating (100.5). That's a unit built to take away exactly what the Lakers do best.
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers: Top Player Props
Jrue Holiday Assists + Rebounds Over 6.5
The splits are the reason this tops the prop card. As a visitor, he's hit this 100% of the time at 10.0 combined, and against the Lakers specifically he's 100% across three career meetings at 9.0. His projection sits at 6.91, above the number, and the matchup grades at 22nd in defense versus position — a favorable draw.
Ja Morant OVER 6.5 Assists
The best price on the board for a player with a perfect recent record. Morant has cleared 6.5 assists in both games this season. The recent form is running well above that number, and his 34.1% assist percentage with a 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio reflects a genuine primary playmaker.
Damian Lillard 3-Pointers Made Over 2.5
A volume three-point play on a player whose role guarantees attempts. Lillard has hit three or more threes in 50% of his games this season at a 4.0-per-game clip across two games, and his projection sits at 3.11 makes against a 2.5 line. The one flag: his visitor split is 0% at 2.0 makes in one road game. But at -155 for a shooter averaging four attempts a night, the volume is the bet.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Kurt Helin
Raphielle Johnson
